Distribution frame device for communications and data technology

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a distribution frame device (1) for communications and data technology for switching over at least one electrical subscriber line (2) from a first service to a second service, wherein the distribution frame device (1) has a connection technology (3) for the electrical subscriber lines (2), a connection technology (4) for the electrical lines (5) of the first service and a connection technology (6) for optical fibres of the second service, wherein the distribution frame device (1) further has an active technology with at least one converter (14) for converting optical signals into electrical signals and vice versa for the second service, wherein a connection for optical fibres and a connection for electrical lines are associated with the at least one converter (14), wherein the distribution frame device (1) has means by means of which the connection technology (3) of the subscribers can selectively be connected to the connection technology (4) of the first service or to the associated electrical connection of the converter (14).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/531,103, filed on May 26, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,327,047, whichis a National Stage Application of PCT/US2015/062751, filed on Nov. 25,2015, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No.102014224289.4, filed on Nov. 27, 2014, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. To the extentappropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosedapplications.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a distribution frame device for communicationsand data technology.

There is a continuous desire for more bandwidth in communications anddata technology. This leads to an increased use of glass fibres.However, this requires considerable investment, in particular if theglass fibres are intended to be routed as far as the subscriber. This isknown by the term “Fibre To The Home” (FTTH). In order to reduce theinvestment costs in new infrastructures, an attempt is therefore made toutilize the existing infrastructure as far as possible.

One approach which has long been known is DSL technology by means ofwhich broadband signals can be transmitted via the subscriber timeswhich are usually in the form of twisted twin cores. In this case, asubscriber can switch from a standard service (for example plain oldtelephone service POTS) to a DSL service for a fee.

A more recent approach is what is known as G.fast technology in whicheven more bandwidth can be transmitted, but wherein the activetechnology has to move even closer to the subscriber on account of thedamping. In this case, a glass fibre cable is routed to the activetechnology, the optical signals are converted into electrical signalsthere and transmitted to the subscriber via the existing subscriberlines.

WO 2013/189616 A1 discloses a distribution frame connection module fortelecommunications and data technology, comprising an enclosure, whereinelectrical input and output contacts, which are in the form of coreconnection contacts, are arranged in the enclosure, wherein an inputcontact is in each case electrically connected to an output contact,wherein functional elements, which are electrically connected to theoutput contacts, are arranged in the enclosure. In this case, the inputcontacts and the output contacts are electrically and mechanicallyconnected by means of interface contacts, wherein the input contacts arearranged in a base module and the output contacts are arranged in atleast two submodules, wherein the submodules can be connected ordisconnected from one another independently of the base module.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing adistribution frame device for switching over at least one electricalsubscriber line from a first service to a second service, the saiddistribution frame device also being suitable for G.fast technology.

The distribution frame device for switching over at least one electricalsubscriber line from a first service to a second service has aconnection technology for the electrical subscriber lines, a connectiontechnology for the electrical lines of the first service and aconnection technology for optical fibres of the second service. Itshould be noted here that the subscriber line for a subscriber ispreferably a dual-core line which is further preferably in the form of atwisted twin core. In principle, the distribution frame device can beequipped for only one single subscriber. However, more subscribers (forexample 4 or 8 subscribers) are preferably supplied with messages by thedistribution frame device. It should further be noted that the term“optical fibre” is intended to be understood generally as an opticalwaveguide in the text which follows. The distribution frame devicefurther has at least one converter for converting optical signals intoelectrical signals and vice versa for the second service, wherein aconnection for optical fibres and a connection for electrical lines areassociated with the at least one converter. If, accordingly, moresubscribers are to be supplied, more converters are accordinglyrequired. In this case, the number of converters may be less than, equalto or greater than the number of subscribers which are connected via theelectrical lines. Furthermore, the distribution frame device has meansby means of which the connection technology of the subscribers canselectively be connected to the connection technology of the firstservice or to the associated electrical connection of the converter.

Various embodiments are possible in respect of the design of the means.For example, switchover can be performed by manual jumpering between theconnections. As an alternative, switchover means, for example relays,which are driven by remote data transmission can be provided. In thiscase, provision may be made for the switchover signals to be transmittedfrom the system side or from the subscriber side.

The connection technology for the optical fibres is preferably in theform of a splicing cassette, wherein the number of incoming fibres canbe greater than the number of converters, this being explained ingreater detail below. The connection for the optical fibres on theconverter itself is preferably in the form of an adapter for receivingan optical plug (for example SC plugs). The incoming fibres are thenspliced, for example, with pigtails in the splicing cassette, the plugsof the said pigtails then being inserted into the respective adapters asconnections to the converter. However, other optical connections arealso possible.

The active technology has to be supplied with voltage. In this case, thevoltage is supplied to the active technology via at least one subscriberline or via at least one electrical line of the first service or via aseparate cable, wherein there is preferably an option to choose. Supplyvia a separate cable from the system side preferably takes place whenthere is already a suitable supply cable in the region of thedistribution frame device, it then being possible for said supply cableto be routed to the distribution frame device together with the opticalfibres without problems. In this case, the supply cable can be routedwith the optical fibres in a common cable or separate cables. As analternative, in the case of supply from the subscriber side, a separatecable can likewise be used. However, the subscriber lines are preferablyused for supplying voltage. In this case, it is sufficient, inprinciple, to provide the voltage supply via a subscriber line. However,when there are several subscribers which are connected to the activetechnology, the supply voltage is preferably provided via all of thesubscriber lines. The voltage components on the individual subscriberlines can then be combined and supplied to the active technology in onemodule. The designs in respect of the subscriber lines can betransferred to the voltage supply via the electrical lines of the firstservice.

In a further embodiment, the distribution frame device has at least oneconnection for an optical connection to a subscriber (Fibre To The HomeFTTH). This allows a further upgrade of a subscriber. In this case, anincoming fibre can be spliced in a splicing cassette and the connectionto the connection can be established by means of another fibre. Theconnection is preferably designed for exterior conditions (often alsocalled “hardened connector”). It goes without saying that severalconnections for FTTH can also be provided. In this case, provision mayalso be made for one or more incoming fibres to initially be connectedto an optical splitter after splicing, the output fibres of said opticalsplitter then being connected to the connections for FTTH. As a result,more subscribers can be supplied with FTTH at a reduced bandwidth (onaccount of the distribution in the splitter). In this case, provisionmay also be made for several fibres to be routed out of the distributionframe device together as a cable.

In principle, the entire distribution frame device can be arranged in anenclosure which is in the form of a sleeve or box for example. Thedistribution frame device preferably has at least two enclosures,wherein the active technology is arranged in a first enclosure and theelectrical connection technology for the subscribers is arranged in asecond enclosure. This allows more degrees of freedom when dissipatingthe heat lost from the active technology. If optical splitters are used,the said optical splitters can be arranged in the first enclosure, inthe second enclosure or a separate third enclosure.

In a further embodiment, the connection technology for the electricalsubscriber lines and/or the connection technology for the electricallines of the first service and/or the electrical connection to theconverter or to the converters are/is in the form of a distributionframe connection module, wherein the distribution frame connectionmodule has a base module with first contacts and at least two submoduleswith second contacts, wherein the submodules can be connected ordisconnected from one another independently of the base module. Adistribution frame connection module as disclosed in WO 2013/189616 A1is preferably used in this case, wherein reference is expressly made tothe disclosure content of the said application.

The submodules preferably each have two contacts, so that a twin core isconnected in each case. The advantage is that, in the event of jumperingwork for one subscriber, this does not have any repercussions for theother subscribers. It goes without saying that the same also applieswhen replacing defective submodules or submodules with a differentfunctionality. Therefore, functional elements can be arranged in thesubmodules. The functional elements may be, for example, overvoltageprotection elements, filter circuits, relays, splitters or bridges. Inthe case of specific functional elements however, the submodule has morethan two contacts. If the functional element is a relay for example, thesubmodule has four contacts on the subscriber side. In this case, thesubmodule is therefore preferably associated with precisely onesubscriber, wherein the submodule has as many contacts as are necessaryfor the functional elements of the subscriber.

A wide variety of embodiments are possible in respect of interconnectionin this case. For example, at least a first and at least a seconddistribution frame module exist. In this case, the electrical lines ofthe first service are connected to the contacts of the base module ofthe first distribution frame connection module. The electricalsubscriber lines are connected to the contacts of the base module of thesecond distribution frame connection module. For the purpose offorwarding the signals of the first service to the subscriber, asubmodule of the first distribution frame connection module is connectedto a submodule of the second distribution frame connection module. Inthis case, the two submodules operate in the manner of a patch cable. Ifthe subscriber is now intended to be connected to the second service,the submodule is drawn into the first distribution frame connectionmodule and plugged into a receptacle for a submodule on the converter.

Instead of a jumpering matrix of this kind, provision may also be madefor the electrical lines of the first service to be connected to thecontacts of the base module of the distribution frame connection module,wherein at least one line of the subscriber and a line for connection ofthe converter are arranged on a submodule, wherein a contact of thesubmodule can be connected to another contact of the submodule by meansof a functional element. The functional element may be, for example, arelay which then selectively connects the subscriber line to the contactof the base module (that is to say to the first service) or to theconnection on the converter. In this embodiment, the submodule can have,for example, four contacts, and therefore a twin core from theconnection of the converter can be connected to a twin line of thesubscriber.

By way of example, an interconnection where the electrical lines of thefirst service are connected to the contacts of the base module of atleast one first distribution frame connection module and the electricallines are routed from the connections of the converter to the contactsof the base module of at least one second distribution frame connectionmodule is also possible. The electrical lines of the subscribers areconnected to submodules which, depending on which service is intended tobe selected, are plugged into the first or the second distribution frameconnection module.

Finally, interconnection where the switchover takes place in theconverter or, more precisely, in a DSLAM as the active technology withthe converter is also possible. In this case, the electrical lines arerouted to a base module of at least one first distribution frameconnection module. Lines are then routed from the submodules of thefirst distribution frame connection module to the DSLAM. Electricallines are then routed back from the DSLAM to a base module of at leastone second distribution frame connection module, and the subscriberlines are connected to the submodules of the second distribution frameconnection module. That is to say, the lines of the first service arecompletely connected through to the DSLAM. Then, either the line of thefirst service is connected through or switched over to an electricalconnection of the converter by means of switchover devices in the DSLAM.Since, in this embodiment, switchover takes place solely in the DSLAM,the distribution frame connection modules can also simply be in the formof conventional connection modules.

In a further embodiment, the active technology has at least one printedcircuit board holder for at least one printed circuit board, wherein theconnection for the optical fibres and the connection for the electricallines are arranged on the printed circuit board holder, wherein theprinted circuit board is fastened in the printed circuit board holder bymeans of a plug connection. This allows the printed circuit boards to beeasily inserted and replaced.

In a further embodiment, a large number of converters are provided,wherein a switchover matrix is provided between the electricalconnections of the converters and the connection technology for thesubscribers, the said switchover matrix being designed in such a waythat the signal channels of the converters can be changed at a transferpoint in front of the connection technology of the subscriber.

This allows, for example, eight channels to be provided by theconverter, wherein only six subscribers are intended to be operated. If,for example, a printed circuit board in the active technology now fails,the subscriber can be switched to one of the two free channels by theswitchover matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with referenceto preferred exemplary embodiments. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a distribution frame device,

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a distribution frame device in afirst embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a portion of the distributionframe device in a second embodiment, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a switchover matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a distribution framedevice 1 for switching over at least one electrical subscriber line 2from a first service to a second service and vice versa. Thedistribution frame device 1 has a connection technology 3 for theelectrical subscriber lines 2, a connection technology 4 for theelectrical lines 5 of the first service and a connection technology 6for optical fibres of the second service. The connection technologies 3,4 are each preferably at least in the form of a distribution frameconnection module 7, wherein the distribution frame connection module 7has a base module 8 with first contacts. The base module 8 hasreceptacles 9 for receiving at least two submodules 10 with secondcontacts which will be explained in greater detail below. In theillustrated example, the base modules 8 have four receptacles 9, whereinthis number can be eight or ten receptacles 9 when implemented inpractice. The connection technology 6 for the optical fibres of thesecond service is preferably in the form of a splicing cassette 11,wherein the optical fibres of the second service, preferably in the formof glass fibre cables 12, are routed to the distribution frame device 1.In the said distribution frame device, the optical fibres are separatedand spliced, for example, with pigtail cables 13 in the splicingcassette 11. The pigtail cables 13 are then each connected to aconverter 14 which converts optical signals into electrical signals andvice versa. In this case, the converters 14 are preferably each arrangedon a printed circuit board. The converters 14 will be discussed only inthe singular in the text which follows. In this case, the converter 14is an active technology and therefore requires an electrical supplyvoltage V. In this case, the supply voltage V can be routed to thedistribution frame device 1 via a separate cable together with the glassfibre cable 12, or else from the subscriber side. In this case,provision may be also made for the supply voltage to be provided via thesubscriber lines 2, wherein the supply voltage potentials of theindividual subscriber lines 2 are then combined and routed to theconverter 14. In this case, it is not necessary for all of the opticalfibres of the glass fibre cable 12 to be routed to the converter 14. Atleast one optical fibre of the glass fibre cable 12 is preferablyspliced with an optical fibre 50 which is then routed to a plug 16. Inthis case, the plug 16 is preferably suitable for exterior applications.A Fibre To The Home (FTTH) service can then be offered by means of theplug 16. As an alternative or in addition to the optical fibres 15, atleast one optical fibre of the glass fibre cable 12 can also be splicedwith at least one optical fibre 17 which is then routed to a preferablypassive optical splitter 18. In the said optical splitter, the opticalsignals of the optical fibres 17 are divided between several outputfibres 19 which are then each terminated with a plug 16, wherein onlyone further plug 16 is illustrated for reasons of clarity. This alsoconstitutes an FTTH service with a reduced power level since thebandwidth is divided between several output fibres 19.

The converter 14 has connections, not illustrated, for the pigtailcables 13, the said connections being in the form of, for example,couplings or adapters in order to receive the plugs of the pigtailcables 13. A distribution frame connection module 7 having a base module8 with receptacles 9 for submodules 10 is arranged on the electricalside. Two submodules 10 which are connected to one another viaconnecting lines 20 are shown between the distribution frame connectionmodules 7. Each submodule 10 preferably has two contacts for connectinga twin core, and therefore the connecting lines 20 are then alsodesigned as twin cores. In this case, the right-hand side submodule 10is inserted into a receptacle 9 of the distribution frame connectionmodule 7 for the subscriber lines 2, wherein an electrical connection tothe contacts in the base module 8 is established via suitable interfacecontacts. Depending on whether the subscriber desires the first serviceor the second service, the left-hand side submodule 10 is inserted intothe receptacle 9 of the distribution frame connection module 7 for theelectrical lines 5 of the first service or into a receptacle 9 in thedistribution frame connection module 7 which is associated with theconverter 14. This constitutes manual switchover.

However, the distribution frame device 1 can also implement theswitchover by means of an external switchover signal. In this case, theswitchover can take place in the submodules 10 or be moved to the activetechnology.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a distribution frame device 1. Thedistribution frame device 1 has a box 21 with a lower part 22 and acover 23, only partially illustrated, wherein the cover 23 is fastenedto the lower part 22 in a pivotable manner. A connection 25 for theglass fibre cable 12, three plugs 16 for FTTH connections, connections26 for the subscriber lines 2, a connection 27 for the electrical lines5 of the first service and a connection 28, of which the function willbe explained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 3, arepresent on an end face 24 of the lower part 22. It should be noted herethat the connections 27 and 28 can also be interchanged. The splicingcassette 11 and the converter 14 are arranged in the lower part 22. Inthis case, the converter 14 is illustrated with a separate enclosure bythe printed circuit boards being arranged in a printed circuit boardholder.

The said FIG. 2 illustrates how a pigtail cable 13 is inserted into anadapter of the converter 14. An adapter strip 29 is arranged above theconverter 14, a further pigtail cable 13 being illustrated as beinginserted in the said adapter strip. In this case, the adapter strip 29represents a kind of parking position for the pigtail cables 13 arrivingfrom the splicing cassette 11 which are not yet intended to be insertedinto the converter 14. A first distribution frame connection module 7 isarranged below the converter 14, the electrical outputs of the converter14 being connected to the base module 8 of the said first distributionframe connection module, wherein jumpering can be performed by means ofthe submodules 10. A switchover matrix 30 is additionally illustrated inthe box 21, the said switchover matrix having a respective distributionframe connection module 7 on the left-hand side and on the right-handside, a printed circuit board 31 with switchover elements 32 (forexample relays) being arranged between the said distribution frameconnection modules. In this case, the base modules 8 of the twodistribution frame connection modules 7 are connected to one another bymeans of the printed circuit board 31 and the switchover elements 32,wherein the assignment in respect of which contacts of the left-handside distribution frame connection module 7 are connected to whichcontacts of the right-hand side distribution frame connection module 7can be changed by means of the switchover elements 32. This switchovercan be performed, for example, via a control line, not illustrated.

A special distribution frame connection module 33 is arranged below thedistribution frame connection module 7 of the converter 14, the saidspecial distribution frame connection module serving to provide thesupply voltage for the active technology (that is substantially of theconverter 14). To this end, the supply voltage is transmitted, forexample, via the electrical lines 5 of the first service, wherein the DCvoltage potentials of all of the electrical lines 5 are combined in thedistribution frame connection module 33 and this combined item is routedto the converter 14.

Finally, the connection technology 3 for the electrical subscriber lines2 and the connection technology 4 for the electrical lines 5 of thefirst service, which connection technologies each have threedistribution frame connection modules 7, are further arranged in the box21. In this case, the positions of the connection technology 3 and theconnection technology 4 can also be interchanged. An electrical line 5of the first service or an electrical line from the switchover matrix30, that is to say an electrical signal from the second service, canthen be connected to the subscriber lines 2 via the submodules 10.

It should be noted here that the distribution frame device 1 is ofmodular construction in the illustrated example. If, for example, thefunctionality of the switchover matrix 30 is not required, the saidswitchover matrix can be simply removed and the electrical signals fromthe converter 14 can be jumpered directly from the associateddistribution frame connection module 7 to the connection technology 3.

If this modularity is not required, individual distribution frameconnection modules 7 can be fused to one another, this accordinglysaving installation space.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative design, wherein identical elements areprovided with the same reference symbols. The essential difference fromthe embodiment according to FIG. 2 is that the entire distribution framedevice 1 is not arranged in the box 21. Instead, the converter 14 inparticular is removed. The optical fibres which are spliced in thesplicing cassette 11 are routed out of the box 21 to the activetechnology or converter 14 by means of the connection 28 in this case.In addition to the optical fibres, an electrical cable is also routedfrom the distribution frame connection module 33 out of the box 21 tothe active technology via the connection 28 in order to supply the saidactive technology with voltage. As an alternative, a common hybrid cablecan also be used. Finally, electrical lines are also routed from theconverter 14 back into the box 21 by means of the connection 28 and, forexample, connected to the connection technology 3. In this case, theadvantage of this embodiment is that heat dissipation is not importantsince the active technology is removed, and therefore the box 21 can beof very compact construction.

Finally, FIG. 4 illustrates the electrical assembly in line with theembodiment according to FIG. 3 which is mounted on a common backmountframe 34.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 Distribution frame device-   2 Subscriber line-   3 Connection technology (for the electrical subscriber lines)-   4 Connection technology (for the electrical lines of the first    service)-   5 Electrical lines of the first service-   6 Connection technology (for optical fibres)-   7 Distribution frame connection module-   8 Base module-   9 Receptacles-   10 Submodule-   11 Splicing cassette-   12 Glass fibre cable-   13 Pigtail cable-   14 Converter-   15 Optical fibre (FTTH)-   16 Plug (FTTH)-   17 Optical fibre-   18 Optical splitter-   19 Output form-   20 Connecting lines (between submodules)-   21 Box-   22 Lower part-   23 Cover-   24 End face-   25 Connection-   26 Connection-   27 Connection-   28 Connection-   29 Adapter strip-   30 Switchover matrix-   31 Printed circuit board-   32 Switchover element-   33 Distribution frame connection module-   34 Backmount frame

What is claimed is:
 1. A distribution frame device for communicationsand data technology for switching over at least one electricalsubscriber line from a first service to a second service, thedistribution frame device comprising: a first connection technology forelectrical subscriber lines; a second connection technology forelectrical lines of the first service; a third connection technology foroptical fibers of the second service; an active technology with at leastone converter for converting optical signals for the second service intoelectrical signals and vice versa, wherein the at least one converterhas a first connection for optical fibers and a second connection forelectrical lines, wherein the distribution frame device has means bywhich the first connection technology can selectively be connected tothe second connection technology or to the converter second connection;and a distribution frame connection module which combines DC voltagepotentials of the electrical subscriber lines or of the electrical linesof the first service, wherein the electrical lines of the first serviceor the electrical subscriber lines provide electrical power to theactive technology.
 2. The distribution frame device according to claim1, wherein voltage is supplied to the active technology via the at leastone electrical subscriber line, at least one electrical line of thefirst service, or a separate cable.
 3. The distribution frame deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the distribution frame device has at leastone connection for an optical connection to a subscriber line.
 4. Thedistribution frame device according to claim 1, wherein the distributionframe device has at least two enclosures, wherein the active technologyis arranged in a first enclosure and the first connection technology forthe electrical subscriber lines is arranged in a second enclosure. 5.The distribution frame device according to claim 1, wherein the firstconnection technology for the electrical subscriber lines and/or thesecond connection technology for the electrical lines of the firstservice and/or the electrical connection to the at least one converterare/is in the form of a distribution frame connection module, whereinthe distribution frame connection module has a base module with firstcontacts and at least two submodules with second contacts, wherein thesubmodules can be connected or disconnected from one anotherindependently of the base module.
 6. The distribution frame deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the submodules are each associated withprecisely one subscriber.
 7. The distribution frame device according toclaim 5, wherein at least one functional element is arranged in thesubmodule.
 8. The distribution frame device according to claim 1,wherein the active technology has at least one printed circuit boardholder for at least one printed circuit board, wherein the firstconnection for the optical fibers and the second connection for theelectrical lines are arranged on the printed circuit board holder,wherein the printed circuit board is fastened in the printed circuitboard holder by means of a plug connection.
 9. The distribution framedevice according to claim 1, wherein the at least one converter includesa plurality of converters, and wherein a switchover matrix is providedbetween the second connections of the plurality of converters and thefirst connection technology for the electrical subscriber lines, thesaid switchover matrix being designed in such a way that signal channelsof the plurality of converters can be changed at a transfer point infront of the first connection technology of the electrical subscriberlines.